Wood-screw-cutting machine.



No. 669,623, Patented Mar. l2, I9Dl.

R. DICKE.

WOOD SCREW CUTTING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 1:2, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheen-Shunt I.

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No. 669,623. Patented Mar. l2, l90l, R. DICKE. W000 SCREW CUTTING MACHINE.

(Application filed may 12. 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Shoats-$huat 2.

No. 669,623. Patented Mar. l2, I90l. R. DICKE.

W000 SCREW CUTTING MACHINE.

(Application filed may 12, 1899.) in; Model.) 4 Shasta-Shaat 3.

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No. .669,623. Patented Mar. I2, I91. R. IJIC'KE. WOOD SCREW CUTTING MACHINE.

' (Application filed May 12. 1899.;

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.UNKTE TATES ATENT 1 1? FFlQEt ROBERT DIOKE, OF MILSPE, GERMANY.

-WOOD-SCREW-CUTTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iatent No. 669,623, dated March 12, 1901. Application filed May 12, 1899. serial No. 716,512. \No model.)

10 whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT DIOKE, a subject of His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, residing at Milspe, in the Province of Westphalia, Germany, have invented a new and useful Improved Wood-Screw-Outting Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to worm woodscrews on automatic wood-screw-cutting machines by means of a rotary cutter; and it consists in certain features of construction and in combin ation of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 shows a vertical elevation of the machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same. Fig. 3 is an elevation seen from the right side. Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken on line aa, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a similar section taken on line b b, 2.. Fig. 6 is an elevation in transverse section taken on line 0 c, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a similar section taken on line 01 d, Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a vertical section along line e e, Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section along line ff, Fig. 1. Fig. 10 shows the cam-flange of driving-drum hereinafter more fully described. Fig. 11 is a vertical section through the toolcarrier in an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the main frame of the machine, supported upon suitable legs at its corners and having bearings in which is journaled the live spindle 2, carrying the driving-pulley 3. At one end of spindle 2 is keyed a small gear 4, which is in mesh with a cog-wheel 5, seated on a suitablyjournaled box 6. The box 6 is provided with fillets 7 to prevent it from being shifted lengthwise, but allow it to revolve. The box 6 has fixed into it a spindle 8, which projects from said box at both sides, forming at one end an endless screw 9 and hearing at the other end a cog-wheel 10. The latter by means of an 7 intermediate wheel 11, fitted on the pin 12 of a lever 13, drives the cog-wheel l4, rigidly joined to wheel 15, which revolves on a pin 16 and transmits its motion to wheel 17, fixed on shaft 18. On said shaft is keyed a cogwheel 19, which gears into a cog-wheel 20, Spindle 21 is fitted at fixed to spindle 21.

one end with the cog-wheel 22, which drives cog-wheel 23. The latter is cast in one piece with a drum 24, Fig. 2, revolving loosely on shaft 18. Lever l3 pivots on pin 16, which bears the wheels 14 and 15. The other end is provided with a curved slot 25, so that said lever can be fixed in any position by means of the screw 26, which rests in a projection 27 of the machine-frame. According to this arrangement wheel 10 may easily be replaced by one of a lesser or larger size, thus reducing or increasing, respectively, the speed of the cutting-tool 28 and its-carrier 29, the construction and working of which I shall describe hereinafter.

Rigidly connected with drum 24 is a boss 30, which carries a bevel-wheel 31, gearing into another bevel-wheel 32, the latter being keyed to a vertical shaft 33, which is borne in a bracket 34. At the upper end of the vertical shaft 33 is fixed a hopper 35, which receives the screw'blanks to be wormed. They are fed into the rotary chuck 36, forming part of the live spindle 2, by a feeding arrangement which consists of a conveyer-chute 37, to the upper end of which is linked a fork 38, which is alternately raised and lowered by the following means: To the boss is cast a cam 39, Figs. 2 and 6, which actuates on rockarm 40, seated on a spindle 41, to which is keyed a bell-crank lever 42. One arm of said lever is connected by a rod 43 with the fork 38, Figs. 1 and 6, which is provided for this purpose with a stud 44, that is engaged by the slotted end of the rod 43. The oscillating movement of spindle 41 by means of cam 39 and spring 45 will therefore cause the raising and lowering of the fork 38. When in its lowest position, the fork will always receive a few screw-blanks, and on the fork being raised they will slide through the chute 37 into the receiver 46. The chute 37 is fitted with two regulating-screws 47, which are set exactly to the diameter of the screw-blank to be wormed and which prevent screw-blanks of larger diameter from getting into the machine. The receiver is arranged for the purpose of carrying the blanks dropping into its groove to the gripper or transferrer, which feeds the blanks to the chuck 35. For this purpose the receiver 46 is pivotally secured to the chute 37 and a rod 48 connects the re- 50 is fitted to the same.

ceiver-arm 49 with the vertical shank of the bell-crank lever 42 on said spindle 41, the rocking movement of which causes the reciprocation of receiver 46. To prevent screw- .blanks of larger length than intended from getting into the receiver, a regulating-screw Screw-blanks of greater length than intended cannot lodge in the groove m of the receiver 46, Figs. 1 and 6, but will rest with their end on the regulating-screw 50, thus preventing the movement of the receiver. On its way the receiver meets the gripper 51 of the transferring de vice, which descends first a little to take the blank and then rises again to allow the back movement of the receiver, whereupon the gripper scoops down and inserts the blank into the mouth of the chuck, which opens and closes automatically, while the gripper occupies again its normal position. The manner in which these different operations are carried out may be understood from the following: The gripper 51 consists of two equal members held together by suitable springs. The lower edge of said members is slanted, so that they open themselves when pressed on a blank for gripping the same. The gripperis attached to the transferringarm 52, forming part of a sleeve 53, which is located on said spindle 41 and can be shifted thereon. On one end of boss 58 is fixed a curved arm 54, Figs. 1, 2, and 5, which is actuated by a ring-shaped body 55 and a cam 56, contained therein. The latter is keyed to revolving shaft 18, while the ring 55 has connection with boss 30, which rotates not so fast as said shaft 18. Coiled springs 57 58 are arranged to draw the arm 54 down and sidewise. The ring 55 is fitted with a recess 59, Fig. 5, which receives at the proper moment the arm 54. This movement causes the gripper 51 to descend a little and take the blank from the receiver 46. After this operation and the returning of the receiver to its normal position the cut-out 60 of ring 55 has come in engagement with arm 54, allowing the latter to be pulled down by its spring 57 on the cam 56, Fig. 5. This movement of arm 54 has caused a d-ownstroke of the gripper within reach of the chuck 36, the mouth of which is just opened.

As seen from Figs. 2, 5, and 8, the cam 56 has a vertical projection 61, which when in engagementwith arm 54 gives it a lateral movement, by means of which the blank is inserted into the open mouth of the chuck 36, which closes simultaneously after having received the blank. The arm 54 and the gripper 51, connected therewith, are raised again by the cam 56 to their normal position, which is secured by the ring 55, on which said arm 54 rests.

The construction and operation of the chuck may be understood from the following:

The chuck comprises two members 62,which are suitably guided in the chuck-casing and linked thereupon. The shorter arms of said members serve to seize the blank and are fitted for this purpose with adjustable jaws 63, while the rear arms are fitted with antifriction-rollers 64. Between said rollers a wedgeshaped piece is jammed, and in this case the jaws of the chuck are closed. A shifting of the wedge to the left releases the rollers, so that the members 62 may be turned by a spring 66, and the dies are opened. From the wedge 65 projects a rod 67, journaled in the live spindle 2, which is partly slotted. A

strong coiled spring 68, embracing said rod, bears with one end against a nut 69 and with the other end against the spindle-body. The closing of the chuck is caused by the said spring 68, which draws the wedge 65 inward, While the releasing of the wedge 65 and opening of the chuck 35 is done by the following means: I

In suitable bearings cast to the bed of the machine is guided a rod 70, both turnable and movable lengthwise. Said rod carries on its outer end an arm 71 and contrarily directed thereto another arm 72, fitted with a roller 73. On said arm 72 actuates a cam 74, keyed on spindle 18, Figs. 2 and 5. The roller 73 of arm 72 is normally out of reach of said cam 74 and held in this position by a pintle 75, which fits in a circular groove 76 of the drum 24. Said groove is provided with a recess 77, that when engaged by the pintle 75 causes the arm to come in contact with said cam 74. The cam produces on arm 72 a lateral movement, by which shaft 70 is shifted inward, so that arm 71 is enabled to push rod 67 forward by means of a bolt 78, and so releases the wedge 65.

To support the screw-blanks while being operated upon by the cutting-tool 28, they are made to rest on a holder 79, Figs. 2 and 4, said holder consisting of a cylindrical piece with' grooves, in which fits the wire nail, and which is attached to an arm 80, turnable around a bolt 81, which is journaled in standards 82 and bears with its back side against an abutment 83, having a slanted portion 84, and being guided in said standards 82. By means of a spring 85 the holder is drawn firmly on the abutment 83. Now at the moment when a blank is to be delivered to the chuck the holder must be removed in order to allow the the gripper 51 to descend; but it occupies its normal place immediately after the blank is seized by the chuck-jaws 63. These movements of the holder are attained by the abutment 83, which is shifted to the left by said rod 70, so that the holder may enter the recessed portion 86 of the abutment in turning backward byits spring 85,while itis brought forward again by the slanted edge 84 of the abutment when the latter is drawn in its former position by a spring 87. Rod 70 is reciprocated ,as described before, by cam 74 and arm 72. The abutment 83 bears against a stop 88, guided in the standards 82 and having wedge-shaped portions and a screw 89 for adjustment.

The cutting of the worm is effected by a rotary cutter 28, Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 10, which revolves in an oblique plane and the upper teeth of which in rotating form a series of cutting edges. It resembles a section taken through a many-threaded screw. The screwblank is set in rotation by the live spindle 2, and the cutter 28 likewise revolves, but with such a speed as to advance at each revolution of the blank to the extent of one more tooth. Apart from the rotary motion the cutter is moved to and fro in the longitudinal direction of the blank and in an arc line toward the blank, the center of this are being the pivots 90, Figs. 4 and 10. The revolution of the cutter 28 around its own axis causes a screw-thread to be cut by the cutting edges, while the motion of the cutter in a curve toward the blank renders it possible to shift the cutter nearer to or farther away from the center line of the screw-blank, so that the screw produced can be pointed or given any desired taper. In forming the point of the screw the cutter makes a somewhat deeper cut than during the remaining part of the work, so that during this time the advancing motion of the cutter 28 along the screw must necessarily be slower than when the advancing motion of the cutter is taking place parallel to the center line of the screw. The various motions of the cutter are executed as follows: The cutter 28 is fixed on an oblique spindle 91, Fig. 10, which carries a worm-wheel 92, gearing into the endless screw 9 of spindle 8, Figs. 1 and 2. The spindle 91 and the worm-wheel 92 are borne in the carrier 29, Fig. 11, which can oscillate in a vertical direction around its lateral pivots 90, which oscillate in bearings 93, Figs. 1 and 2, of a carriage 94. The carrier 29 is provided with a curved arm 95, Figs. 4, 8, and 9, which at its end is provided with a regulating-screw 96, which bears against a vertical bolt 97. The latter is vertically movable, guided in a boss 98, cast in one piece with the carriage 94 and secured against any rotation. The regulating-screw 96 is held in contact with bolt 97 by a coiled spring 99. By raising or lowering the bolt 97 the cutter 28, Fig. 4, is moved away from or toward the screw-blank by means of the arm 95 turning with the carrier 29 in the bearings 93. For this purpose a cross-beam 100, Fig. 4, is arranged in the upper part of the machine-frame, and in it is horizontally guided a bar 101, which is fiattened or wedgeshaped toward the lower part and serves as a guide to bolt 97, which with its upper end bears against the flattened and wedge-shaped surface 102. The sloping surface, Fig. 8, of the bar 101 is intended to impart to the portion of the blank to be threaded the desired conicity and general shape, as bolt 97 in traveling along with the carriage 94 and sliding on this surface will press the cutter 28 toward or remove it from the screwblank, according to the inclination of surface 102.

The carriage 94, Figs. 1, 2, and 4, which carries the oscillating tool-holder 29, with the cutter 28 and its appertainings, is fastened on shafts 103, which are guided in bearings 104 of the machine-frame. The carriage 94 is provided with an arm 105, Figs. 1 and 9, ending in a socket 106, in which is adj ustably fixed a horizontal bar 107 by means of a setscrew 108. The bar 107is guided in a sleeve 109, extending from the bracket of the livespindle and being cut open in its upper portion directed toward the drum 24, so that a stud may be secured to the bar 107, which carries an antifriction-roller 110. The drum 24 actuates on said roller and causes a reciprocation of the carriage 94. The rod 107 is adjustable, so that the roller 110 may be brought in contact with the working surface of the drum more or less early and the stroke of the carriage 94 may be varied according to the length of the nails. The working surface of the drum, Fig. 2, is formed by a cam-flange 111, suitably fixed thereon, one side of which has a helical form with various pitches. The roller 110, Figs. 4 and 7, which is fitted to the bar 107, and with it the carriage 94 are advanced horizontally by this inclined plane of flange 111 and will therefore carry the cutter 28 along the screw-blank to be treated. The higher the pitch of this side the more rapid will be the motion of the roller, and according to the movement of the carriage 94, and vice versa, the lower the pitch the slower the motion of the carriage. Hence it appears that while the revolution of drum 24 is uniform the motion imparted to the carriage and cutter may nevertheless be varied at will by altering the pitch of this surface. Fig. 10 is an evolution of the cam flange 111. It shows that the short portion t'is placed at such an angle to the axis of the drum as to cause the roller 110 to move forward, together with the parts set in motion by it, and carry the cutter 28 against the end of the blank being wormed at a very rapid rate. In order to bring the cutter in contact with the blank end, the surface 11 will then cause the advance of the cutter to be retarded while the point of the screw is being threaded. Surface 2' will again cause an accelerated motion while the actual screw part is being threaded. Surface t' of the cam-flange 111 and the cam 112 will shift the roller 110 and the carriage 94 rapidly back to its initial position after the screw has been wormed.

As described before, during the operation of the cutter on the blank each revolution of the worm 8 causes a turning of the wormwheel of one tooth, and according thereto the cutter is also turned always one tooth. During the back movement of the carriage the worm revolves, as before, in the same direction and with the same speed, while the cutat the end of surface t ter being in contact with the screw revolves faster in consequence of the quick return of the carriage, and the cutter is running, therefore, exactly as a pinion on a rack, the pinion being represented by the cutter, and the rack by the threaded screw. As the worm 8 runs in same direction with the screw and the worm-wheel conforms with the direction of the cutter, the turning of the latter is transferred on the worm-wheel, which therefore is likewise running as a pinion on a rack.

In order to be able to cut screws with a somewhat shorter worm on one and the same machine, a regulating appliance is arranged This arrangement consists in the movable leg 113, which is pivoted on a pin 114 and can be moved in a curve by means of the regulating-screw 115. After being correctly adjusted the leg 113 is fixed by the screw 116, which is fitted into the drum 24.

During the return motion of the cutter 28 it must not be brought into contact again with the finished point of the screw, because this latter is no longer sufficiently supported by the holder 80, and may therefore be easily damaged by the cutter. To prevent this, the guide-bar 101, and with it the surface 102, which determines the shape of the point and the taper of the screw, is removed to the left. This is effected by means of a rod 117, Figs.

2 and 8, which is guided in the frame and provided at one end with a roller 118, on which actuates a projection 119 of the camflange 111 of the drum 24. At the other end of the rod 117 an arm 120 is fixed, which carries a regulating-screw 121, provided with a head 122. The guide bar 101 is provided with a slotted head, so as to receive the head 122, and bored through, so as to receive the body of the screw 121. This arrangement permits adjustment of the bar 101 with regard to the'bolt 97 and a convenient releasing and changing of the guide-bar 101. After the cutter has got out of reach of the screw the guide-bar 101 is drawn back by a spring 123 to its initial position.

The exact construction of the tool-holder may be understood from Fig. 11.

Arm 95 of the tool-carrier is provided with a cavity 124 to receive the worm 9 and the worm-wheel 92, which is fixed to the spindle 91. The latter is suitably guided in sockets 126 127, screwed from both sides to the arm 95. Said spindle has a fillet 128 bearing on the upper socket 126, awasher 129 and a nut 130 being arranged to keep it in position, but allow free rotation. Upon the fillet is fixed the cutter 28 by means of a friction-ring 131, a screw-bolt 132 passing through the hollow spindle 91 and a coiled spring 133 leaning against a washer 134 and being adjustable by nuts 125.

The mechanism which removes the finished screws consists especially in a box which receives the screws from the machine. As it is well known, it is not shown in the drawings. It is fastened to a horizontal shaft 135, which is shifted by a cam 136 on the cog-Wheel 23, which acts on a cross-bar 137, carrying at one end a roller 138, while its other end loosely surrounds spindle 8.

I am aware that wood-screw-cutting machines have been made before my invention in different constructions, and I do not, therefore, claim such a machine broadly; but

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an automatic machine for worming wood-screws the combination with arevolving chuck 36 adapted to receive and'hold the screw-blanks of a cutter 28 revolving in an inclined plane with respect to the blank and being mounted on a shaft in a shaft-bearing 29 said bearing containing a worm-wheel 92 fixed to the shaft and being in gear with an endless screw 9 running through the bearing, said bearing being pivotally located in a carriage 94 mounted on guide-bars guided in suitable bearings and movable to and fro and carrying an adjustable vertical bolt 97 which bears against a wedge-shaped guide-bar 101 horizontally seated in a cross-beam 100 fixed in the bedding of the machine, a spring 99 serving to secure close connection of said arm with said bolt 97 and said wedge-bar, of a horizontal bar 107 adj ustably fixed in a bracket-box of the carriage 94 and carrying at its free end an antifriction-roller 110 which is in contact with a revolving drum 24 in order to reciprocate the carriage the whole as illustrated and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an automatic machine for worming wood-screws the combination with a revolving chuck 36 adapted to receive and hold the screw-blanks of a cutter 28 revolving in an inclined plane with respect to the blank and being mounted in a holder 29 means to oscillate the holder toward the blank, of a carriage 94 receiving the tool-holder 29 and means to move said carriage to and fro, of a vertical bolt 97 adjustably secured to said carriage 94 and bearing on a wedge-bar 101 said bar being horizontally journaled in a fixed crossbeam carries in its head a regulating-screw which is fixed to an arm 120-said arm having connection with a horizontal bar 117 carrying at its free end an antifriction-roller 118 which is brought in close contact with revolving drum 24 by a spring for the purpose illustrated and set forth.

3. In an automatic machine for worming wood-screws the combination with a revolving chuck 36 adapted to receive and hold the screw-blanks of a cutter 28 revolving in an inclined plane with respect to the blank and being mounted in a holder 29 means to oscillate the holder toward the blank of a carriage 94 receiving the tool-holder, and means to reciprocate the wedge-shaped bar giving the ta per to the blank, of a drum 24 having attached to its right side a gear with a projection 136 to shift the screw-receiving device said drum flange for the purpose illustrated and set being fitted With a circumferential cam-flange forth.

111 having an active surface of various pitches to give the carriage periodically a more or less ROBERT DIGKE' 5 rapid motion, and a regulating device consist- Witnesses:

ing of an adjustable leg 113 and having a pro- R. E. J AHN,

jection 119 fitted to the left side of the cam- OTTO K6NIG. 

